Provenance Yaoundé? The ‘Djom’ figurine group and other artefacts from the Fang-Beti cultural region (Cameroon) at the Museum Fünf Kontinente

The Museum Fünf Kontinente has a group of sculptures (‘Djom’) from the Fang-Beti cultural region in its collection, which Cameroonian researchers and cultural experts consider to be a culturally significant piece of cultural heritage. There is, accordingly, an urgent interest in provenance research on this work.

The group of sculptures consists of two male and one female figure framed by a tam tam drum at one end and a large snake and two chickens at the other. The sculptural elements are mounted on a 4.6 metre long wooden beam. They are painted and made using a very elaborate carving technique. According to historical records, the work was used during initiations of young men from the ‘Eton’ population group (‘Sso ritual’). It was appropriated in the Yaoundé region around 1900 by the colonial officer Hans Dominik. It arrived in Munich in 1922 via the ethnographic trade.

The aim of the project is, firstly, to determine the circumstances of the appropriation of the work and the society of origin. Secondly, the historical and cultural-spiritual meanings of the work are to be clarified in co-operation with the society of origin and Cameroonian experts. Thirdly, collections will be included in research that are also listed in the museum database with the historical-geographical reference ‘Jaunde-Station’ in the museum database, that can be assigned to a colonial appropriation context and have not already been recorded in the project The ‘Blue Rider Post’ and the Max von Stetten Collection (1893-1896) from Cameroon in the Museum Fünf Kontinente München. The Museum Fünf Kontinente is cooperating with the Musée national du Cameroun in Yaoundé.

© Museum Fünf Kontinente